Sofia Digital has delivered a hybrid TV operator application for OSNtv, bringing the pay-TV platform directly to Samsung smart TVs without the need for a set-top box.
The deployment is built on the HbbTV Operator Application (HbbTV OpApp) standard and marks a first-of-its-kind service in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the Finnish technology provider.
The application combines HbbTV with TVkey Cloud technology from Nagravision and Samsung, enabling OSNtv subscribers to authenticate and access services directly on smart TVs. By using the HbbTV OpApp framework, the solution integrates tightly with the TV’s native environment, including the user interface and remote control, while maintaining pay-TV grade security through chipset-level protection.
For viewers, the HbbTV OpApp replaces core television functions such as live TV, the electronic programme guide and channel lists with OSNtv’s own interface, while also providing full access to the platform’s on-demand catalogue. The recently unveiled service supports both English and Arabic languages, delivering a consistent hybrid experience that combines linear channels and on-demand content within a single TV-native workflow.
According to Sofia Digital, its experience in hybrid broadcast and broadband services was central to the project, particularly in adapting the set-top box experience to an operator application running inside the TV set. The use of TVkey Cloud alongside HbbTV allowed secure subscriber authentication and entitlement management without additional hardware, a key requirement for premium content services in the region.
The application is available on all new Samsung TVs and on existing connected TV models manufactured from 2021 onwards with Ultra HD support.
